Go big or go home: my first family holiday
No, I'm talking about the sort of flitting about from place to place that a lot of millennials, raised on gap years and interrailing, consider a basic human need. We are the best-travelled generation ever, so being constantly told that having a child will drain your energy, bank account and freedom sounds incompatible with our love of adventure. A hotel near the airport, a good hospital, air conditioning and a kitchen in which to cook my own dinner have never been on my travel wish-list.
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The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
I quit my job to go on a non-stop cruise with food, booze & spa included – I paid £90k but the room's mine for 15 YEARS
FOR Rina Cavazza, being at sea on a luxury cruise ship with a cocktail in her hand is not just reserved for holidays - it's something she enjoys all year round. Because the 50-year-old former fitness instructor lives on the Villa Vie Odyssey cruise ship and is currently on a three-year journey, travelling to 147 countries. 7 She tells Sun readers why she decided to fork out £90,000 to live on the lavish ship for the next three years with food, booze and a spa included. Plus, how an extra perk means she'll be able to keep her room on board for even longer... Seeing the look of confusion flash across the stranger's face, I smiled. Whether I'm relaxing in Hawaii or sightseeing in Madrid, when someone asks where I live, they're always baffled by my answer. After all, how many people can say they live on a cruise ship? I was a married mum-of-five living in Brisbane, Australia, when I took my first cruise in the 2000s with my kids – now 25, 23, 21 and twins who are 20. I loved it, and in the years that followed, we went on 11 more cruises, including a river cruise in China and a trip to America. Shortly after separating from my husband, I went on my first solo cruise in early 2023. Being alone wasn't a problem, as it's so easy to meet other people on board when everyone is so friendly. Then, that May, something caught my eye – a new company was offering a three-year cruise around the world. It wasn't cheap – an inside cabin without portholes was £75,000 – but I had savings I could dip into. I'd lost both my parents, my children were adults, and I didn't have any grandkids yet. I wouldn't even need to sell my house to afford it, and my son could move in and take care of the running costs. I loved cruising and wanted to see the world – here was the perfect chance. The kids thought it was a great idea. After paying a deposit, I resigned from my job as a fitness instructor and prepared to set sail in November 2023. The cruise was unfortunately cancelled, though I was able to get my money back. Many people would have walked away from the idea at that point, but I refused to give up my dream of living on a cruise ship. So, when I heard about another opportunity with Villa Vie, a three-and-a-half-year worldwide cruise that would visit 147 countries and 425 destinations, I went for it. I chose a porthole-window cabin at an early-bird price of £90,000. Carnival forced to break silence on 'rap & hip hop' ban on cruise ships amid rule change – guests can face a $500 fine That bought me my cabin for 15 years, but at any point, I can rent it out or sell the cabin back. There's also a monthly maintenance fee of £2,269 – around £75 a day, which covers my food, two glasses of beer or wine with lunch and dinner, my laundry and housekeeping services twice a week, and Wi-Fi. Plus, I had to budget for whatever I wanted to spend when on land. Finally, in October 2024, we set sail. I was immediately struck by how beautiful the ship is. It has eight decks, three bars, two restaurants, a spa and fitness centre, pool with a Jacuzzi, two lounges and a theatre. My cabin is small, but perfect for me. You can paint them, change the floor and wallpaper, and bring in furniture, as long as it is marine-grade, although I didn't bother. If every cabin was full, there would be around 900 residents on board, but as 60 per cent of us are solo travellers it's never that many. The youngest is under 40, many of us are in our 50s, but the majority are over 60. When you live with so many people, there's always gossip. One couple met, got engaged and married on the ship. Others just hook up for a while, and then it fizzles out. It could be a reality TV show! 7 7 7 7 Ten months after setting sail, I've visited more than 30 countries and had hundreds of 'wow' moments. I've loved seeing Machu Picchu and Iguazu Falls in South America, taking a helicopter over the Grand Canyon and dog-sledging. I do miss the kids, and it's strange not having them with me for Christmas and birthdays, but the family Facebook group keeps us all in touch, and they love hearing about my adventures. Family and friends can come on board, and my son stayed in my cabin with me for three months through South America – it only cost an extra £24 a day. I haven't decided yet what I'll do when the first three-and-a-half-year trip around the world is over. Living at sea, I've learned to take things as they come. If the Wi-Fi breaks or there's a problem with the plumbing, I just go on deck, gaze out at an incredible view, and look forward to the fabulous location I'm heading towards. It's truly a wonderful life.
Telegraph
4 hours ago
- Telegraph
The well-dressed man's guide to travelling in style
I once took a long-haul flight in a suit; granted, I had to go straight to an event from the airport, but it made an already tedious experience unnecessarily uncomfortable. I have mixed feelings towards flying – on the one hand, I really dislike the airports, and hurtling through the sky in a confined, pressurised tube, breathing in stranger's flatulence. But I love the adventure – and the fact that (unless you're foolish enough to pay for Wi-Fi) nobody can reach you. I find my seat, set up a little playlist of movies, or I get my iPad out and illustrate, all while wearing the comfiest clothes in my wardrobe. I've never understood why some people overthink their flight outfit. Unless you look suspicious, you can guarantee passport control don't care what you're wearing, nor do security, neither do the air stewards, the ground staff or any of your fellow travellers, for that matter. That said, there is a middle-ground between the suit I once wore and having one's dignity take a hefty blow by donning a onesie. Prioritising comfort doesn't for a moment mean you have to sacrifice style and there is no need to travel in gym kit, athleisure or those knackered comfy shorts you wear around the house when you feel sick. Instead, simply tweak your thinking – elasticated or drawstring waists are better than belts and buttons when sitting for seven hours, luxe fabrics like cashmere will keep your temperature regulated while maintaining a luxurious, tactile feel. Minimising jewellery might be wise to avoid it irking as you adjust yourself mid-doze. I have perfected two ensembles that I turn to flight and flight again. Jim wears: Wool and cashmere blend hoodie, £295, Mr P.; Supima cotton t-shirt, £18, Marks & Spencer; Cotton blend twill trousers, £145, Mr P.; Suede trainers, £195, Russell & Bromley; Suitcase, Jim's own, Rimowa Jim wears; Cotton flannel shirt, £175 (on sale for £88); cotton blend twill trousers, £145; both Mr. P; Supima cotton t-shirt, £18, Marks & Spencer; Suede shoes, £140, Birkenstock; Hitch Leather backpack, £625, Coach A zip-through cashmere hoody like this one from Mr P is a joy to wear. Soft, tactile and the zip allows you to take it off without too much of a fight when in a close quarters. I did make the mistake of not wearing a T-shirt under one once, thinking extra skin-to-cashmere contact would be pleasant, but it was the hottest flight in the world, so I would highly recommend a good quality tee, such as the Supima Cotton options from M&S. Trousers like this linen/cotton blend from John Lewis will maintain the weightlessness of linen, but won't crease half as much, while the looser cut gives you the freedom to fidget. When it comes to footwear, Russell and Bromley's Woodale are minimal, sleek and easy to remove. A Ralph Lauren flannel shirt will serve much the same purpose as a cashmere hoody, but where you lose the hood, you gain a chest pocket which I have found handy for my passport and earphones. These drawstring trousers from Mr P. have a touch of elastane, adding to comfort, and I'm such big advocate for these Birkenstock clogs. They're incredibly comfortable – and unlike their mule relatives, they have a heel so you won't hit the deck if you need to scurry for your gate. When it comes to luggage, wheels are your friend! The number of times I've taken a holdall, only to find myself waiting at passport control with my phone in my right hand and the weight of everything else I'm taking in my left. It's a very dreary way to set your spine three inches off centre. Instead, I take the same leather backpack from Coach that has been my travel buddy for about a decade with just my passport, earphones, iPad, chargers and sunglasses while everything else goes in a wheely case, either to get checked in or come with me as hand luggage.
Daily Mail
5 hours ago
- Daily Mail
One of my friends died before a group trip to Dubai - why is it so tricky to sort with the travel firm? SALLY SORTS IT
We had three bookings made with travel company Voyage Prive made last autumn totalling £24,260. These were made for my 60th birthday celebrations in Dubai but it became a nightmare to resolve the final bills following the tragic death of one of my friends who was due to come with us. J.H., Bolton. Sally Hamilton replies: What you planned as a joyous occasion has been clouded in sadness. Your dear friend died of suspected food poisoning while on holiday in the Indian Ocean at the end of last year. You considered cancelling your five-day trip but decided as a group to go ahead and celebrate her memory at the same time. Her widower told you that's what she would have wanted. He had to make a claim on her travel insurance for her £1,200 deposit. But you were astounded that Voyage Prive would not confirm that the member of your party who was due to share a room with your late friend would have her booking altered to single occupancy – and it looked as if she would be charged the full rate for the double room – £6,798. You had been corresponding at length with customer services but not getting any clarity, despite an initial sympathetic response. You had to send the death certificate twice and you chased for weeks. Without a clear resolution you asked me to intervene. When I got in touch, David, a member of the Voyage Prive team simply said 'there's no need to worry… everything is in order' and wished me a lovely day. That wasn't the concrete answer I had hoped for but I felt reassured that at least your case was being looked at. My contact seemed to do the trick, however, as a week or so later you got confirmation that your friend would not face the full double room charge. The holiday firm was probably having to negotiate hard with the hotel on the price. In the end, she was billed just £3,456 – less than you had calculated, with no extra charges for sole occupancy. You feared this meant there might be some nasty additional charges waiting at the destination, but thankfully these did not materialise. When I caught up with you recently, you said the trip had been 'amazing' – and you forwarded me a photo of the group toasting your friend's memory. Straight to the point I took out a single-trip travel insurance policy in April for me and my wife with Insurance 4 Medical, and I declared all our medical conditions. A few days before the cover was meant to start my wife developed swollen ankles, which our doctor said he would investigate if it was still happening after our holiday. I told the insurance provider but they cancelled her cover. She will now have to answer 'yes' when future insurers ask if she has had an insurance policy cancelled. G.R., via email. Sally Hamilton replies: White Horse, Insurance 4 Medical's underwriter, apologises and says the new undiagnosed medical condition meant cover had to be withdrawn. It will refund the premium and it will provide a letter of explanation that cover was cancelled due to a change in risk, rather than fraud or non-disclosure. I bought an oven from Currys which was installed by an electrician, but 30 days later it caught fire. As it was a bank holiday, I reported it the next day but Currys said as I reported it on day 31 after it was installed I had to speak to the manufacturer to get an inspection before they could take it back. But the manufacturer says it won't inspect it, only repair it. I've had to buy a new oven out of my own pocket in the meantime. I.S., via email. Sally Hamilton replies: Currys apologises and says it is refunding you as a goodwill gesture, even though your initial report of the fault fell outside the 30-day return window. Write to Sally Hamilton at Sally Sorts It, Money Mail, Northcliffe House, 9 Derry Street, London W8 5TT or email sally@ — include phone number, address and a note addressed to the offending organisation giving them permission to talk to Sally Hamilton. Please do not send original documents as we cannot take responsibility for them. No legal responsibility can be accepted by the Daily Mail for answers given.
